Another Tribute To Dio
Audio CD
(October 26, 1999)1. Rainbow In The Dark - Division
2. We Rock - Aurora Borealis
3. Neon Nights - Steel Prophet
4. Invisible - Enertia
5. Don't Talk To Strangers - Ion Vein
6. Caught In The Middle - Opposite Earth
7. King Of Rock And Roll - Black Earth
8. Evil Eyes - Imagika
9. Holy Diver - Tyrant
10. Heaven & Hell - Division
11. Last In Line - Psycho Scream
12. Egypt - Dofka
13. Shame On The Night - Seven Witches
Just got mine today! A review by Scot Clayton
Some initial overall observations:
* It's definitely worth the $12-13 I paid for it!
* Most of the tunes are really good!
* I'm not familiar with any of the bands...but they appear to be American Groups, at least their mailing address are!
* The packaging is very basic. None of the nice booklet and graphics like in "Holy Dio".
* Some of the tunes were engineered by "Monkeys on Crack"! (terrible recording/mixing)
* There is a very weird thing with the song writing credits! On We Rock, Invisible, Don't Talk To Strangers, Caught in the Middle, King of Rock and Roll, Evil Eyes, Holy Diver, Last in Line, and Egypt Ronnie is listed as R.J. Padavona. I'm quite sure that these songs are originally credited to R.J. Dio as this was much after Ronnie "changed" his name!??
Any ideas? Tapio?
On to the tunes!
1. Rainbow in the Dark - Division
Overall, a pretty good version, excepting that it's a little fast. Not a bad mix/recording, vocals good, etc.
Nice guitar and drum work.
2. We Rock - Aurora Borealis
One of my least favorite tunes on the CD. Terrible vocals, and way too fast. BTW, I'm not a big fan of the original either...
3. Neon Nights - Steel Prophets
Very good rendition! Vocals handled very well, as well as the "Iommi Tone" BTW, this is also one of my least fav Dio Sabbath Tunes...
4. Invisible - Enertia
One of my all time Fav Dio tunes! ...so I tend to be a little picky on this one. ....but I like it. Very good guitar tone, drum work is pretty good and it has a decent mix. It has a very nice heavy feel to it. The intro is very nicely done. Overall they did a good job on a difficult tune.
5. Don't Talk to Strangers - Ion Vein
Another of my all time Fav Dio tunes...so again I'm a little "picky" . Intro nicely done. Drum work pretty good, doesn't have the nice touches that Vinny gives it...but then who does! Vocals are done very straight forward. The singer does a decent job (for not being Ronnie). The "Vivian" solos are decent, and to me they are always something I listen for...It definitely doesn't have the soul of the original, but that's very hard to grasp. It does have the groove though..interesting ending.
6. Caught in the Middle - Opposite Earth
This one is decently done..but it just doesn't do anything for me. Ok mix, guitars sound ok. Vocals done very straightforward. Snare sounds awful! Why does everyone now want that flat, souless, "no balls" snare sound?!
7. King of Rock and Roll - Black Earth
Very Heavy Version. I like "heavy"...but it's a very shallow mix, no depth. This version even has the dubbed in "live crowd" ! Guitar Solos just don't touch the originals...Vocals ok, Drummer uses a little too much double pedal for this tune..makes is sound "too modern"....overall I don't "hate" it though.
8. Evil Eyes - Imagika
Heavier than the original, and a little rushed time wise. Vocals don't do anything for me. Overall a pretty lackluster version. The musicians are fairly decent, but they just don't have the right "feel"!
9. Holy Diver - Tyrant
Terrible version. It has an industrial feel to it. Terrible mix! Very flat and shallow. Guitar tone is awful! Drum work seems ok, if you could hear more of it. Vocal mix is very bad. Engineers on Crack strike again!
10. Heaven and Hell - Division
Terrible! Guitarists hasn't a clue for playing Iommi stuff! Very fast version and this is coming from somone who has played it quite fast on occasion (right Sean?!) Vocals suck. The drummer keeps speeding up and slowing down...I hate that (though we all do it)...this guy really goes overboard...I sure hope he means to do it!
I have better versions of this tune on video from our band practices!
11. Last in Line - Psycho Scream
This is a pretty decent version. ....especially considering that it was the WORST tune on the Holy Dio Tribute! The intro is nicely done. Guitars have a nice tone....BUT...the Engineers on Crack strike again. Snare sounds like a shallow, flat cardboard box, and the kick sounds like a box with a wet rag wrapped around it! The groove is there, and it has a nice feel though. The Vivian solos are nicely handled...and that's a tough one. I really like the vocals on the chorus too.
12. Egypt - Dofka
This version could be the Engineers on Crack's theme song! No highs at all. I know the drummer is using his ride and high hat, but I can't really hear it! He's not bad though....and at least it's a "real" drummer. (Shame on you Doro!) Vocals are pretty good....a little too much reverb though. Overall, I think it's a good version, and it does catch the original feel.
13. Shame on the Night - Seven Witches
Very heavy and plodding! I like that! The intro is nicely done...but the guitar tone on the guitar intros is terrible! Vocals are a little raspy, but overall nicely done. Rythym guitar work is pretty good, but not thrilled with the solo work. Drummer is very good....and I can hear him! The Engineers on Crack must have been on a "break" when they recorded this one! Overall a good version....and I think this is a tough one to pull off!
A MUSt have for all DIO fans! Get yours today!
..and little Ronnie James (jr.) is in the floor headbanging to it...so I guess he likes it too!
From: Scot Clayton [scotclayton@wichita4x4.com]